5th October, 2026 | News

France School Protests: More Than 5,000 Detained as Up to 40,000 Expected in Paris

Meta description: France’s nationwide school protests intensify as more than 5,000 people are detained, with up to 40,000 protesters expected at a Paris march.

France, October 5, 2026 — France’s nationwide school protests have intensified, with more than 5,000 people detained since the demonstrations began and organisers predicting an even larger day of action on Tuesday.

French media reports indicate that between 20,000 and 40,000 protesters could join a march in Paris on Tuesday, while additional demonstrations are expected at schools across the country. High school students, young people from working-class neighbourhoods and far-left protesters are among those expected to participate.

The planned Paris march is expected to begin at 2pm local time, with demonstrations also scheduled in Lyon, Lille, Grenoble, Rennes, Marseille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Montpellier.

More than 5,000 people detained

France’s Justice Ministry said 5,060 people had been detained in connection with the unrest as of Monday.

Children accounted for the vast majority, with 4,406 minors, or 87% of those detained, while 654 were adults. The ministry said 1,802 people were facing charges, although only 14 had been remanded in custody.

French media also reported that 984 people were arrested during Monday’s protests, while 65 police officers were injured.

Protests spread across France

The school protests began in the wider Paris region after teachers and students demonstrated over staffing shortages at a high school in Créteil on September 17.

The movement subsequently spread to other areas, with class strikes, school blockades and demonstrations becoming part of the nationwide unrest.

Authorities have faced further disruption as hundreds of schools have reportedly been targeted or partially closed.

Violence reported in Paris

Some demonstrations in Paris became confrontational, with footage showing police moving against crowds as fireworks were directed towards officers.

Elsewhere, eight people were arrested in France’s Aude region over alleged possession of explosive materials and the throwing of projectiles. Police also used a stun grenade in Carcassonne, although authorities said no protesters or officers were injured in that incident.

Government seeks to end disruption

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held discussions with senior ministers as the government considered the continuing unrest.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray said discussions would be organised in French high schools between Wednesday and Thursday in an effort to resume classes. He said the government wanted to resolve most of the problematic situations caused by the protests by October 16.

Meanwhile, Île-de-France regional president Valérie Pécresse warned that students facing legal action over the protests could lose access to benefits provided through the LABAZ youth support programme.

The programme offers assistance including support for public transport, bicycles, cultural activities and sports.

With demonstrations planned in several major French cities on Tuesday, authorities are preparing for what organisers describe as the biggest day of protests yet.